NEWSLETTER – NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2021
It’s been one of the rainiest summers that I can remember in a long time and one of our November classes fell prey to heavy rains and so did our Jumping Competition scheduled for 27 November! The long-anticipated event was moved to 04 December 2021 instead with everyone holding thumbs for a rain-free day. In the meantime, the grass has been growing knee high in record times and we just can’t seem to get our wonderful Elvis to keep up with the lawn maintenance between the extra demand he his facing at all his other clients too!
As I’m hoping everyone knows by now – the Club has closed for December as per our usual tradition and we hope to re-open on 08 January. We will see what the covid climate etc. holds for the new year and will confirm the way forward closer to the time. We trust 2022 will be a year where we won’t lose any more club time due to imposed lockdowns and the like and we plan on being open all year round (Valentines, Easter, St. Patrick’s, Halloween, school holidays and the entire shebang and finally closing only for December).
For those who haven’t re-applied for 2022 yet, and plan on heading back to the Club in January please fill in the application form link here Membership Application & Indemnity PSDC (google.com). We will work out 2022 class lists according to the applications received.
Dog Jumping Competition & Awards Braai
It was absolutely wonderful to get the dogs in the ring again after missing out altogether in the infamous 2020 Covid year that has left its mark all over history! Handlers were busily refreshing their obstacle skills with their dogs throughout November in great excitement and anticipation for the competition which was sponsored by Montego. Entrants had delightful goody bags packed for them and Sam prepared a challenging and fun course for each category. Many members had all hands-on-deck preparing the ring, decorating it with Christmas cheer, braaiing, preparing background admin things, cleaning, photography and rallying everyone up to have a fun-filled relaxed day together.
The committee thanks all the members who assisted and contributed in making the day such a success, and thanks our tireless trainers for their dedication all year. We changed tack completely and had a morning competition and, in this way, we managed to outsmart the weather, besides a very brief shower that rudely interrupted the awards causing us all to grab trophies and goods off tables and scuttle indoors. Fortunately, the real downpour only broke loose late afternoon by which time most of the festivities had been completed.
We had 29 dogs entered in total and unfortunately on the day some had to cancel due to quarantine/isolation!
A huge congratulations to the winners for the different categories for the jumping competition which are as follows:
Puppy: First – Jenny with Ava
Second – Rentia with Velcro
Small dog non-impact: First – Sharon with Mushu
Second – Rudolf with Newton
Large dog non-impact: First – John with Jinx
Second – Charl with Cindy
Third – Charl with Bea
Small Dog impact: First – Kyle with Mackenzie
Second – Louiza with Patroon
Third – Louiza with Kolletjies
Large dog impact: First – Lisa with Linois
Second – Martin with Uschi
Third – Peter with Pearl
The highly sought-after annual trophy awards were announced as part of the end-year celebrations. Handlers train hard through the year showing much discipline and consistency not just at the Club but at home too in order to achieve the annual awards. Sometimes trophies are even withheld some years if the trainers feel there isn’t a deserving winner. This year the Manwork Male Dog Trophy was one of those casualties and 2022 I’m sure will show a vigilant jostle to become the next deserving trophy winner.
A standing ovation goes to the following trophy winners for 2021:
Best Manwork Bitch – Martin Potgieter and Zara
Best Obedience Male – Louiza Kruger and Kolletjies
Best Obedience Bitch – John Swart and Jinx
Most Improved Dog – Gloria Wegner and Major
Perseverance – Annatjie van Jaarsveld and Buddy
We thank Martin Potgieter of Bonsai Photography for his amazing photography. Watch our FaceBook page for his upcoming uploads of the day’s events as they unfolded Pretoria Shepherd Dog Club – Home | Facebook. In the meantime, to wet your appetite we have some lovely photography courtesy of Christine & Boshoff which can be viewed on this link:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/bwYziEUpXZC1pdzPA.
Brandbach Farm Dog Walk & Braai
If its not obvious yet, perhaps it’ll become apparent now that we are a club who love chilling together and most of all finding any excuse to braai! One of our club members opened up his farm to us somewhere there between Bronkhorspruit and Cullinan and we were welcomed with such warmth, enthusiasm and generosity. The facilities available at this farm are simply wondrous and its well worth taking a look at what they have on offer if you’re looking for a nearby getaway. Links here:
https://g.co/kgs/st3eYQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGn2Co4hZ0s https://www.facebook.com/BrandbachFarmRetreat/
We sheltered ourselves from the blazing sun under a huge stinkwood tree where we set up base and watched the dogs running and playing in the nearby vicinity. When they got overheated, they bounded into the nearby river or swimming pool to cool off. Humans joined in too! They say pictures speak 1000 words, so I’ll let some snapshots do the talking.
Some Useful Links
Boarding/Doggy day care in Pretoria East Our Services – Best Friends Dog School
Our adopted animal charity is the South African Veterinary Association’s community project called Community Veterinary Clinics (CVC). They look after the primary healthcare of dogs and cats in disadvantaged communities and offer vaccinations, de-worming, dipping, and sterilization at a reduced fee. Please get involved in their MySchool card project – www.savacvc.co.za
https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&catId=102899&id=4951475
http://www.nonlineardogs.com/100MostSillyPart1.html
https://www.treehugger.com/books-every-dog-owner-should-read-4863578
Ruben and Marissa have committed to offering their spare time with Pretoria Dog Rescue. It is a worthy cause to support. Please put the word out that they have many, many dogs up for adoption. Check out their Facebook page for more information. Dogs bought from Pretoria Dog Rescue qualify for one month’s free training Pretoria Dog Rescue | Help stray, neglected, abused, homeless and suffering dogs (ptadogrescue.co.za)
Dogs bought from SPCA or Wetnose qualify for one month’s free training (excluding the R320.00 club membership fee). Just bring along your receipt of purchase. The SPCA Newsletter has put out a request for more volunteers, so if you have any spare time, please consider donating it to a worthy cause. Please contact Celestie Mathews who is a volunteer at the SPCA. She has some wonderful fundraising ideas. Celestie also has a volunteer Whattsapp group that you can belong to, where she advertises the SPCA’s wish lists – 082 825 8442.
Have a blessed festive season filled with joy, family time and much inspiration and relaxation to meet the coming year.
Warm regards
Charene Verheijen
PSDC Secretary